Hepatocellular carcinoma after prior sorafenib treatment: incidence, healthcare utilisation and costs from German statutory health insurance claims data.

Objective: To estimate both the number of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) eligible annually for second-line therapy following sorafenib in Germany and the healthcare costs accrued by patients meeting eligibility criteria.

Methods: Patients with an HCC diagnosis and one or more sorafenib prescription were identified from samples of > 3 million insured persons in each of 2012, 2013 and 2014 using the anonymised Betriebskrankenkasse health insurance scheme database. Incidence rates from 2013 were extrapolated to the German population using data from the statutory health insurance system database and Robert Koch Institute.

Patient preferences for palliative treatment of locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction: a choice-based conjoint analysis study from Germany.

Background: Decisions on palliative chemotherapy (CT) for locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (mGC) require trade-offs between potential benefits and risks for patients. Healthcare providers and payers agree that patient-preferences should be considered. We conducted a choice-based conjoint (CBC) analysis study in pre-treated patients from Germany with mGC or locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction (mGEJ-Ca), to evaluate their preferences when hypothetically selecting a CT regimen.

Use of Structural Equation Modeling to Demonstrate the Differential Impact of Storage and Voiding Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms on Symptom Bother and Quality of Life during Treatment for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Purpose: Lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia typically respond well to medical therapy. While changes in total I-PSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) are generally accepted as measurement for treatment response, I-PSS storage and voiding subscores may not accurately reflect the influence of symptom improvement on patient bother and quality of life.

Materials And Methods: Structural equation modeling was done to evaluate physiological interrelationships measured by I-PSS storage vs voiding subscore questions and measure the magnitude of effects on bother using BII (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index) and quality of life on I-PSS quality of life questions.

Patient preferences for outcomes of depression treatment in Germany: a choice-based conjoint analysis study.

Background: In general, treatment efficacy in depressed patients is evaluated mainly based on the core symptoms of depression. However, patients might consider different outcomes. This study used choice-based conjoint analysis (CBC) to evaluate patient preferences for depression treatment outcomes.

Preferences of diabetes patients and physicians: a feasibility study to identify the key indicators for appraisal of health care values.

Background: Evidence-based medicine, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), support the inclusion of patients' preferences in health care decisions. In fact there are not many trials which include an assessment of patient's preferences. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that preferences of physicians and of patients can be assessed and that this information may be helpful for medical decision making.